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18 February 2020 | Story Xolisa Mnukwa | Photo Xolisa Mnukwa
First year Kovsie students
From top left - Kamvelihle Sikrweqe; top right - Chloe Gagiamo; bottom left - Bronwyn du Plessis; bottom right - Lutho Mvalo
A student’s first year out of high school and in university is always characterised by a sea of unlimited opportunities, emotions, and decision-making. We took to the streets of the Bloemfontein Campus to find out why the UFS was their preferred academic choice.

“I recently realised that I’m not an engineer or a doctor, but I’m a problem solver; I just wanted to study something different that would offer me great opportunities in life. I’m very open to learning more about myself and my degree, and the career that I will lead. I chose the UFS because they made me feel important, they showed that they care, the support here is crazy and I need that right now.” – First-year Actuarial Science student, Kamvelihle Sikrweqe

“I’m originally from Butterworth in the Eastern Cape, and I chose this university because I heard about the quality of service provided to students; when I got here, I experienced it for myself. The campus environment is so warm and inviting, I’m loving this place already.” – First-year Psychology and English major, Lutho Mvalo

“I chose to study Education because I have a big passion for children, and I believe the change in our country can only start with them. I’m from Bloemfontein and my family is here too. The university is central to everything in the country, but because of this city and the tightknit community at the UFS, I felt like this university was for me – because I believe in unity and working together.” – First-year Education (Foundation Phase) student, Chloe Gagiamo

“I chose the UFS because of the quality of lecturers the university has. They are on a higher level than any other university, and I really feel confident that I will get a good education here. I recently joined the Imperium day residence, and I plan on joining the choir; I am in it to win it!” – First-year Education (Foundation Phase) student, Bronwyn du Plessis 

News Archive

Johann swims his way to Olympics
2016-05-18


Johann van Heerden from the University of the Free State has qualified for the Paralympic Games in the swimming pool, and is now waiting to hear if he will be included in the South African team. Photo: Nadya van Heerden.

In the past couple of months, Johann van Heerden has been swimming his way to the Paralympic Games, and is still preparing as if he will be going to Rio de Janeiro.

The Kovsie swimmer, who will know whether he has been included in the Paralympic team in July 2016, feels his training is progressing well. The Olympics will be held in Brazil from 7 to 18 September 2016. If all goes well, this could be the first of several Olympics for the 20-year-old second-year Education student from the University of the Free State (UFS).

Dream year for Education student

Van Heerden (cerebral palsy), whose hero is the former Paralympic superstar Natalie du Toit, has had huge successes in the run-up to the 2016 Olympics. Among others, he was named the best senior swimmer at the Nedbank National Championships for the Physically Disabled in Bloemfontein in March 2016. At the South African Senior Championships in Durban in April 2016, he qualified for the Olympics in the 100 m breast-stroke with an A-qualifying time, and in the 50 m and 100 m freestyle with B-qualifying times.

Only three male swimmers to Olympics

However, he has to wait until the announcement of the South African Paralympic team, since only three male and three female swimmers will be selected. He will not be competing in another major event before the Olympics. “My short-term goal is to compete in this year’s Games, and, in the long term, I would like to reach even greater heights at the 2020 Games,” he said. Du Toit is an inspiration to him because “she was hard-working, and she had a lot of drive”.

Other students from CUADS also excel

At the above-mentioned National Championships, Van Heerden won a total of five gold medals (200 m medley, 100 m breaststroke, 50 m freestyle, 50 m breaststroke, and 200 m breaststroke) and one silver medal (100 m freestyle). Other students from the Center for Universal Access and Disability Support at the UFS also excelled.

Dineo Mokhosoa (cerebral palsy) won three gold medals (long jump, shot-put, and discus), while the athlete Louzanne Coetzee (blind) shattered the world record in the 5 000 m, as well as the Africa record in the 1 500 m. Juanré Jenkinson (cerebral palsy) won two silver medals (discus and shot-put) while Danie Breitenbach (blind) won two gold medals (800 m and 1500 m).

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